Saturday 20 October 2007

Caerphilly & Bargoed Masons distribute £6,500

Last evening, Freemasons of the Caerphilly and Bargoed Lodges presented almost £6,500 to local charities at the Masonic Hall in Princes Avenue, Caerphilly. The donations were made in the presence of W.Bro. Geoffrey W. Thomas, PSGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

The event is the culmination of the 2006-2007 fund-raising by Freemasons in the Caerphilly and Bargoed areas to raise funds which are distributed to Masonic and local non-Masonic charities.

Amongst the Charities supported in 2007 from individual lodge efforts (Ladies Nights etc) and the Annual Summer Ball are:

      All Saints Boxing Club, Llanbradach

      Caerphilly Miners’ Hospital

      Caerphilly First Responders

      Cancer Care Cymru

      CHAD - Care, Help and Aid for the Disabled

      C.L.U.R.V. Cancer Support

      Disabled Childrens’ Christmas Party

      Home Tower Marie Currie

      The Joshua Foundation

      Macmillan Cancer Support

      Muscular Dystrophy

      Myasthenia Gravis (Rag Doll Syndrome)

      NSPCC

      Royal Gwent Hospital

      Salvation Army, Senghenydd

      Trinity Fields School

      Velindre Hospital

Press representatives were invited to be present to speak to local Freemasons and the charities that they are supporting this year. There was also an opportunity to view the Temple.

There are 7 Freemasons’ lodges meeting in the Masonic Hall in Caerphilly and two in the Masonic Centre in Bargoed

This is a continuation of the Freemasonry in the Community (FitC) initiative; which was a programme of events intended to illustrate the true nature of Freemasonry, and to restore it (in the perception of the general public) to its rightful position as a part of the community rather than apart from the community.

The concept was devised by the Marquess of Northampton who is the Pro Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. The national programme was concentrated on the week 26th June to 3rd July 2002. In the Province of South Wales - Eastern Division, FitC events began in the Autumn of 2001 and are still continuing in many areas not - least Caerphilly and Bargoed!

Since 2002, a number of local charities and organisations have been supported by around £30,000 from Caerphilly and Bargoed Freemasons.